Club

TECHNICAL STAFF

Wilmer Cabrera – Head Coach

Wilmer Cabrera was named head coach of the Houston Dynamo on October 28, 2016. Cabrera was previously the first head coach the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, the Dynamo's hybrid USL affiliate. He also served time as a head coach and assistant coach in Major League Soccer and head coach of the United States Under-17 Boys National Team.

A native of Colombia, Cabrera is bilingual in English and Spanish and was the first Latin American head coach at the helm of a U.S. national team. He served as head coach of the United States Under-17 Boys National Team from October 2007 to January 2012 and compiled a 36-29-15 record, guiding the U.S. U-17s through two U-17 World Cup qualifying cycles ahead of the 2009 and 2011 FIFA U-17 FIFA World Cups, including progression to the Round of 16 at both tournaments. Cabrera also led his squad to a first-place finish at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.

Cabrera began his MLS coaching career as assistant under current FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja for two seasons with the Colorado Rapids (2012-13) before he was head coach of Chivas USA in 2014, the club’s final season in MLS.

As the first head coach of Rio Grande Valley FC, Cabrera guided the expansion club to a record of 14-7-9 and second-place finish in the USL’s Western Conference. RGV FC had the best goal difference – plus 23 – in the Western Conference, and allowed just 24 goals, second-fewest in the 29-team USL, and fewest in the West. The Toros also led the conference with 16 shutouts and set a USL-record with a streak of 760 minutes without conceding a goal in July and August.

As a player, the former defender made 48 appearances for the Colombia National Team, including three starts at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, inclusion on the roster at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and a role at four Copa America tournaments (1989, ’91, ’95 and ’97). His 20-year professional playing career began at age 17 with Independiente Sante Fe in Colombia and included spells in Argentina and Costa Rica before a final stop in the United States with the Long Island Rough Riders.

Cabrera’s career in youth development began as an assistant coach with Suffolk (New York) Community College followed by a stint as coach with the BW Gottschee Academy in New York City.

Before his appointment as the first head coach at Rio Grande Valley FC, Cabrera spent 2015 working for Major League Soccer in various capacities, including scouting and technical study. He was part of the CONCACAF Technical Study Group that analyzed the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Honduras. Next, he was a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. He joined the CONCACAF Technical Study Group at the 2015 Gold Cup in the United States as well the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship. Cabrera also observed the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica (World Cup qualifying tournament) as well as the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship in Uruguay (U-20 World Cup qualifying tournament).

Michael Dellorusso – First Assistant Coach

Dellorusso joined the Dynamo in 2017 after serving under Cabrera in the same role in 2015 for the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, the Dynamo's hybrid USL affiliate. The Toros finished in second place in the Western Conference in their debut season in 2015. Dellorusso was head coach of Arizona United SC (USL) for two seasons, 2014-15. Before the head coach role, he was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland under Sasho Cirovski from 2010-13 as the Terrapins won two Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season titles and three ACC tournaments. The team also reached the NCAA College Cup in two straight seasons (2012-13), with an appearance in the national title game in 2013.

As a player, Dellorusso helped Maryland reach four consecutive NCAA College Cups (2002-05) and was captain as the Terrapins won the 2005 National Championship. The Colombia, Maryland native was drafted by FC Dallas in 2006 and spent four seasons with the club and joined the Minnesota Thunder (USL) and Austin Aztex (USL) for loan spells.

Davy Arnaud – Assistant Coach

Arnaud joined the Dynamo in 2017 after serving as an assistant coach for D.C. United in 2016. Arnaud was one the the most respected players in Major League Soccer throughout his 14-year career (2002-15). A native of Nederland, Texas, he starred at West Texas A&M before playing his first 10 professional seasons with the Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City, winning the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CUp and reaching the MLS Cup Final the same season. Known for his leadership as a player, the midfielder joined the Montreal Impact in 2012 and was their first captain for their debut MLS season and played two seasons in Quebec. He helped lead United to the 2014 Eastern Conference regular season title in his first season after they won just three games in 2013.

As a player, Arnaud appeared in 351 career regular-season games, eighth among field players in MLS history, and registered 50 goals and 46 assists. He is tied for ninth in league history with 316 career starts and tenth with 28,462 minutes. Arnaud appeared in 17 playoff games in nine playoff seasons and was the most fouled player in league history, drawing 746 fouls. The Texan also made seven appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team.

Paul Rogers – Goalkeeper Coach

Rogers enters his fourth season in 2018 after joining the Dynamo in 2015. Prior to joining the Dynamo he served as the U.S. Women's National Team goalkeeper coach since 2009. The Brighton, England native joined the U.S. women’s national team as goalkeeper coach in March 2009 and helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games and a second-place finish at the 2010 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Rogers’ duties with the women’s national team also included scouting and video analysis.

Rogers served as goalkeeper coach for the Canada Women’s National Team in 2008, helping them to a runner-up finish in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying and the team’s first appearance in the Olympics, where they reached the quarterfinals. Rogers worked on the professional level as an assistant and goalkeeper coach with St. Louis Athletica of Women’s Professional Soccer in 2009 and 2010, and collegiately with Florida State University, the University of Louisville and Tulane University prior to that.

Since 2006, Rogers has been an instructor for the U.S. Soccer coaching education course teaching the goalkeeping license and the goalkeeping section of the USSF A, B and C licenses. He holds a USSF A License, UEFA B License, UEFA B Goalkeeper License and NSCAA Goalkeeper License, as well as a bachelor’s degree in sport administration from Indianapolis University.

As a player, Rogers had spells with several professional and semi-professional clubs in England, including time as a youth player with Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle and Brighton and as a senior player with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Paul Caffrey – Head of Performance

Caffrey enters his fourth season with the Dynamo in 2018 after joining the club in 2015. The Dublin, Ireland native holds experience in MLS and with the United States national team program. Caffrey spent 2014 at Chivas USA as the first assistant coach under Wilmer Cabrera. He served as an assistant coach and fitness coach with the Colorado Rapids on Oscar Pareja’s staff from 2012-13.

Caffrey also was the first assistant coach under Cabrera with the United States under-17 national team from 2007-11 and oversaw the physical preparation and fitness training of the team.

Caffrey played four seasons with the Long Island Rough Riders after a four-year college career at Adelphi University. Caffrey’s experience also includes roles as the director of coaching with the Rough Riders from 2003-05 and head coach and assistant athletic director with Suffolk County (New York) Community College from 2002-07.

Caffrey holds a United States Soccer Federation “A” License as well as certifications as a strength and conditioning specialist (National Strength & Conditioning Association) and functional movement specialist (Functional Movement Systems). He also carries Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Physical Education.

Steve Fell – Assistant Fitness Coach

Fell enters his second season with the Dynamo serving as Assistant Fitness Coach under Paul Caffrey. Prior to joining the Dynamo staff he served as the Head Fitness Coach with Cabrera and Dellorusso with the RGV Toros, the Dynamo's USL affiliate in 2016. From 2014-16 he served as the Director of Sports Performance for Flagler College where he was responsible for the physical preparation of 12 varsity sports.

Fell is a board certified sports physical therapist, as well as holding certifications as both a certified strength and conditioning specialist and EXOS performance specialist.

Fell's playing experience includes three seasons for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League after a 4-year career at Towson University.

Oliver Gage – Head of Performance Analyst/Technical Recruitment

Gage enters his fourth season with Dynamo in 2018 after spending three seasons as the operations assistant for University of Virginia men's soccer program. His responsibilities with UVA included all aspects of video editing and performance analysis while assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day soccer operations.

Virginia reached the NCAA College Cup in each of his three seasons at UVA, including the 2014 campaign when the Cavaliers claimed the NCAA Division I National Championship.

Prior to coming to Virginia, Gage served as the assistant first-team technical assistant with the Sheffield Wednesday Football Club in Sheffield, United Kingdom. His responsibilities included opposition scouting and analysis, production of scouting reports, highlighting key tactical concepts, potential areas of weakness and production of pre-match presentation for players and staff.

Gage earned a master's degree in organizational leadership at Mercyhurst College while playing soccer, and his team made the NCAA tournament in both of his eligible years. He also competed in the NPSL for the Erie Admirals, reaching the final four in 2011.

Gerson Echeverry – USL Head Coach

Echeverry joined the Dynamo organization in December 2017 as the head coach of the club's hybrid USL affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.

Echeverry was previously a coach at Seton Hall University, serving as an assistant from 2004-11 before becoming head coach from 2012-17. During that time, he also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Soccer Federation Under-17 Youth National Team and residency program under current Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera from 2008-2011, evaluating prospects for the residency team and implementing training plans with an emphasis on developing attacking players. Echeverry also served as the head coach for the U-16 men’s national team in the Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Montague, France.

As a player, Echeverry set himself as one of best players in Seton Hall history. The Paterson, N.J. native is a member of the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame. He ranks third in school history with 32 assists and sixth with 41 goals. At the professional level, Echeverry played as a forward in Major League Soccer for the NY/NJ MetroStars and D.C. United, as well as for Cortuluá in Colombia’s Categoria Primera A (first division).

SOCCER OPERATIONS

Matt Jordan – Senior Vice President/General Manager

Matt Jordan joined the Houston Dynamo in November of 2014 as the club’s first Vice President/General Manager. Upon arriving in Houston, Jordan was tasked with elevating all aspects of the club’s technical operations, following four successful seasons working in the Montreal Impact front office. In March of 2018, the Dynamo promoted Jordan to Senior Vice President/General Manager.

In his role with the club, Jordan is responsible for overseeing all aspects of soccer operations including the Houston Dynamo First Team, USL team RGVFC, and the Development Academy. His responsibilities include technical staff management, player personnel and transactions, scouting, managing the team’s salary cap and operations budget; while overseeing the day-to-day operations for the technical side of the club.

Since joining the club, Jordan has refined and implemented the club’s technical vision, working with Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera to guide the team to the 2017 playoffs and advancing to the Western Conference Championship game. Jordan has been instrumental in reshaping the Dynamo roster, with key international signings such as forwards Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas and Romell Quioto, midfielders Tomás Martínez and Juan David Cabezas, and defenders Adolfo Machado, Alejandro Fuenmayor and Adam Lunqvist. He has orchestrated trades for integral players such as A.J. DeLaGarza, Eric Alexander, Andrew Wenger, Darwin Cerén, and Alex Lima; while adding homegrown product and Houston native Memo Rodriguez to the roster.

With the club’s USL team, Jordan successfully led the initiative to build the first hybrid affiliate in North American soccer history with the expansion of RGVFC; a model that has since been emulated by several other MLS clubs. This initiative has successfully led to the signing of seven players from RGV to the Houston Dynamo First Team along with the promotion of Wilmer Cabrera as the Dynamo head coach.

Prior to joining the Houston Dynamo, Jordan served as Technical Director for the Montreal Impact, playing an integral part in the Quebec based club’s successful expansion into Major League Soccer in 2012. During that time the team qualified for the playoffs in just their second season in MLS, won the Canadian Championship in 2013 & 2014, qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League and advanced to the quarter finals in 2014. With Montreal, he worked to acquire designated players Ignacio Piatti, Marco DiVaio and Hernan Bernardello along with acquiring key veterans Felipe Martins, Davy Arnaud and Justin Mapp.

As a player, Jordan played professionally for 13 years, including eight seasons in Major League Soccer with Dallas, Columbus and Colorado. During his time playing in the league he won a Supporters’ Shield, was an MLS All-Star, Defender of the Year, and a Finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He played four seasons for the Montreal Impact, where he was named club MVP in 2008 helping Montreal to win the inaugural Canadian Championship, collecting tournament MVP honors. In 2009 he led the team to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League which was a first for a Canadian based team. Later that year, Jordan and the Impact won the USL First Division championship. In addition to his time in North America, Jordan played in the Danish Superliga with Odense Boldklub, helping the team to a top four finish in league play and qualification to the UEFA Cup.

At the International level, Jordan was a member of the United States National Team pool from 2000 and 2002. He was a bronze medal winner with U.S. National B Team at the 1997 World University Games in Sicily, Italy, and represented the U.S. at the U23, U21, U20 and U18 National Teams levels. He holds a USSF “B” coaching license.

Jordan graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in sports marketing. During his time playing for the Tigers he was a two-time First Team All-American, a finalist for college player of the year and was inducted into the All-ACC 50th anniversary team.

The Denver, Colorado native is joined in Houston by his wife Lori, daughter Sydney and son Myles.

Nick Kowba – Assistant General Manager/Director of Soccer Operations

Kowba, enters his 13th year with the franchise in 2018 and was promoted to assistant general manager/director of soccer operations in December 2014. Kowba was named MLS Team Administrator of the Year by his peers and league staff three times (2007-2009). He was promoted to Manager, Team Operations during the 2010 season and to Director, Soccer Operations during the 2011 season. In his new role, Kowba oversees the day-to-day administrative duties of the Dynamo first team, but is also involved with the scouting of players both foreign and domestic. Before the team’s relocation from San Jose, Kowba worked for the San Jose Earthquakes as the Grassroots Soccer Coordinator, where he developed, coordinated and delivered elements associated with the youth soccer partnership program and grassroots soccer efforts in the Bay Area.

Prior to joining the Earthquakes in 2005, Kowba was an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of California-Santa Cruz, for two seasons after graduating with a degree in sociology in 2003. While attending UC-Santa Cruz, Kowba was a four-year student-athlete and three-year starter for the men’s soccer program, coached by former San Jose Earthquakes player Paul Holocher.

While living in Santa Cruz, Kowba was involved in the development of local soccer players, coaching and mentoring youth from the Catalyst Soccer Club and Santa Cruz Breakers. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, snowboarding and playing golf. Originally from Encinitas, Calif., Kowba and his wife Meredith have one daughter, Clara Rose.

Cesar Martinez – Team Administrator

Martinez became the Houston Dynamo Team Administrator in May of 2016 after six years of working for the organization at various roles. Before accepting the position, Martinez served as a marketing intern, worked for the Dynamo Academy, operations of Houston Sports Park and gameday operations.

The Houston native is fluent in both Spanish and English. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in Sports Administration expected to graduate in December 2017.

As the Team Administrator with the Houston Dynamo, Martinez is responsible for booking travel, hotels, team meals and transportation while the team is on the road. He also assists players with relocation of new players whether it be from MLS or first-time players in the league.

Chris Maxwell – Director of Equipment Operations

Maxwell joined the Houston Dynamo as Equipment Manager in 2015 and was promoted to Director of Equipment Operations in January 2017.

Prior to joining the Dynamo Maxwell was an Assistant Coach of Men's Soccer at Finger Lakes Community College for the 2015 season. He also held the positions of Equipment Manager with the United States Soccer Federation, with the Women's National Team from October 2013 to March 2015 and USSF Youth National Teams in 2013. His first stint with the Houston Dynamo organization came in 2012 at game & soccer operations intern.

A native of Rochester, New York, Maxwell graduated from St. John Fisher College with a B.S. in Sports Management. He was a four-year player on the St. John Fisher College Soccer team.

Eddie Cerda – Asst. Equipment Manager

Cerda joined the Dynamo in 2016 as an assistant equipment manager. He was born in Monterrey, Mexico but is a native of Seminary, MS. He graduated from William Carey University, where he was the equipment manager from 2010 to 2014, graduating with a degree in physical education.

In 2014 he started as an intern in the team administration department for FC Dallas and in 2015 was hired to be the equipment coordinator for FC Dallas and the FC Dallas Academy Residency Director. Eddie is married to his wife, M’Kenna.

MEDICAL STAFF

Dr. David A. Braunreiter – Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Braunreiter has dual certifications in sports medicine and family medicine, which allows him to manage both medical and orthopedic conditions of the athlete. In addition to serving as the primary care physician for the Houston Dynamo, he is the team physician for Pope John XXIII High School in Katy and a consultant for all Fort Bend ISD schools. He is a physician member for the Major League Soccer Concussion Committee and is a certified physician for ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing).

Dr. Braunreiter served as a team physician for the Houston Texans, University of Houston, Houston Baptist University and the World Wrestling Entertainment organization. He is assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and has been appointed the director of the newly accredited Houston Methodist Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program in Sugar Land, Texas. He completed his family practice residency at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri and his sports medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio.

Chris Rumsey – Head Athletic Trainer

Christopher Rumsey joined the Houston Dynamo sports medicine team in July 2016, coming from Oregon State University where he primarily covered men’s soccer. He received his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Capital University in Columbus, OH and his master’s degree in science in sports medicine from Oregon State University. He has experience at all levels of soccer as an athletic trainer and was a four year letterwinner on the soccer team in college.

Nathan Hironymous – Head Physical Therapist

Nathan Hironymous graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2003. He then completed his Master in Physical Therapy at Texas Woman's University in Houston in 2005. Nathan became board certified in Sports Physical Therapy in 2010. He has over 10 years of experience treating athletes from amateur to professional. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 2006 and Functional Dry Needling certified since 2014.

Besides being the Head Physical Therapist for the Houston Dynamo, he works as the lead physical therapist for the Houston Methodist Orthopedic and Sport Medicine clinic at Houston Sports Park. He is faculty for the Sports Physical Therapy Clinical Residency, teaching about Lower Extremity injuries and rehabilitation.

Wes Speights – Massage Therapist

Speights' enters his 6th season as Houston Dynamo Massage Therapist. He has also served as the Houston Dash Massage Therapist since 2014.

Wes is a Houston native, graduating from South Houston High School (1972) and University of Houston (1975). He spent one year as an intern at Rice University (1975), before moving to Abilene to become the Head Athletic Trainer at Abilene Christian University (1976-1993). Wes was inducted into the Abilene Christian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

Was has spent 15 years as the Clinic Director or Part Owner of Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab Clinics both in Abilene and Houston (1985-2000).

He served as the gameday assistant for both the Houston Rockets and Houston Aeros (1993-1997) and from 2000-2016, served as an Athletic Trainer for Houston ISD retiring in December. Wes started his private massage therapy practice in December of 1999.

Wes is married to wife Pam (1974) and has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.